Adjustable Gauge Wheel Arm for Variable Planting Depth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing row units with gauge wheels and seed furrow openers have limited adjustability in working depth, restricting the range of possible drilling depths due to the fixed positioning of the gauge wheel relative to the seed furrow opener.

Innovation Solution

A gauge wheel device with a variable effective length, achieved by adjusting the position of the gauge wheel shaft along the gauge wheel arm, allowing for greater variation in planting depth even when the gauge wheel overlaps the seed furrow opener.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the gauge wheel is positioned to overlap the seed furrow opener with abutment contact, then soil scraping capability is improved, but the range of working depth adjustment is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil scraping capabilityVSAvoidrange of working depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gauge wheel arm is made adjustable in length, allowing the system to transition from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one. This enables the gauge wheel to maintain optimal positioning for soil scraping while allowing sufficient movement range for depth adjustment across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The effective length of the gauge wheel arm is made variable through adjustable mounting positions. By changing this geometric parameter, the system can optimize both the scraping capability (when shorter) and the depth adjustment range (when longer), resolving the contradiction between these two functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the gauge wheel arm length is fixed, then device simplicity is maintained, but the range of working depth adjustment is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegauge wheel arm structureVSAvoidrange of working depth

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gauge wheel arm is segmented into adjustable sections with multiple mounting positions. This segmentation allows the arm length to be modified without requiring a completely different arm structure, maintaining relative simplicity while enabling depth adjustment range expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gauge wheel arm transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. By introducing adjustability while maintaining the basic arm geometry, the system achieves greater working depth range without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12310271B2Gauge wheel device, row unit, agricultural implement and method of operating gauge wheel device

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 VAEDERSTAD HOLDING AB

AI summary

This document discloses a gauge wheel device (22) for maintaining working depth of a row unit (2) included in an agricultural implement, comprising a gauge wheel arm (220) which, at a distal portion thereof, carries a gauge wheel (221) which is rotatable about a gauge wheel shaft (2201, 220T). An effective length of the carrier arm (220) is variable. The document discloses a row unit comprising such a gauge wheel device, an agricultural implement comprising a plurality of such row units and a method for operating a gauge wheel assembly.